Waste Containment System With Damper Mechanism

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a waste containment system and more particularly a waste containment system having a damping mechanism. The waste containment system including a toilet having a housing with a centrally located opening and a base defining a toilet bowl. A damping mechanism is within the toilet. The damping mechanism includes a base and converging side walls. The side walls converge generally at an acute angle. The damping mechanism located on the base of the toilet bowl and centrally located proximate the opening of the toilet housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to is a waste containment system. These waste containment systems may be permanent or portable. More particularly, the instant invention relates to a waste containment system having a structure for preventing splash back on the user.

Waste containments systems are commonly in two general categories. First are permanent toilets, such as those commonly found in homes, offices and permanent structures. In the next category are portable toilets and the like. This category of toilets are found at events such as concerts, sporting events, car shows, parks, recreational areas and generally wherever groups of folks tend to gather.

Portable toilets serve a critical role in keep our environment safe and their use is to be greatly encouraged. For example, if a hiker blindly excretes his or her waste into the environment without treatment, raw sewage is allowed free in the environment and unpredictable damage and disease may well result.

On the other hand, should that same hiker use a portable toilet, his or her waste will receive treatment before it is released into the environment. Using the portable toilet means the waste will receive immediate treatment. Once the portable toilet is picket up by the waster service company, it will be emptied and cleaned. The emptied waste will be mixed with other waste from other portable toilets and then again treated in a waste treatment facility. Upon such secondary treatment, the material formerly waste material can be safely released back into the environment.

Clearly, it is far better for the environment for the waste material to return to the environment treated rather than untreated. For this reason alone, the use of portable waste containment systems should be encouraged strongly.

One important deterrent to using a portable waste containment system is splash back. Splash back occurs when either solid or liquid waste drops into the toilet and a splash occurs, sending waste material and treatment liquid from the toilet back in the direction of the waste deposit. The resulting splash can cause such material to splash against the depositor. Naturally, this makes using such toilets more than a little undesirable.

Clearly, for the protection and betterment of the environment, a device that could make of such waste containment system more palatable is necessary. The instant invention is such a device. Either as original equipment manufacture or as an add-on to existing waste containment devices, the instant invention provides a structure for preventing such splash back.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a damping mechanism for a waste containment system that prevents or at the very least minimize splash back.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a damping mechanism, which can be manufactured as part of the original waste containment system or added on to existing such systems.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a damping mechanism, which is compatible with permanent and portable toilets.

In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, the waste containment in accordance with this invention comprises:

-   -   a toilet having a housing having centrally located opening and a         base and defining a toilet bowl;     -   a damping mechanism including         -   a base and         -   converging side walls, the side walls converging generally             at an acute angle; and     -   the damping mechanism located on the base of the toilet bowl and         centrally located proximate the opening of the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the waste containment system, the damping mechanism is formed as part of toilet.

It will be appreciated the damping mechanism is also available as a stand alone device and is separately attachable to virtually any toilet.

Additional preferred embodiments include the converging walls having a top line and wherein the top line forms the shape of either a peak, a rounded profile or a frusto-conical shape in cross-section. It will be appreciated that other such shapes are possible. The object being to deflect waste in such a manner that splash back is eliminated or at least minimized.

It is an advantage of this invention to a provide a damping mechanism which prevents splash back in a waste containment system.

It is an additional advantage of this invention to a provide such a damping mechanism either as original equipment manufacture or as a separate standing device which can be applied to exist waste containment systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the damping mechanism for a waste containment system in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the damping mechanism for waste containment system in accordance with this invention positioned in a toilet.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the damping mechanism for a waste containment system in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the damping mechanism for a waste containment system in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with respect to FIG. 1, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the damping mechanism in accordance with the invention shown generally by the numeral 10.

The damping mechanism 10 includes a base 12 and upstanding side walls 14. A portion of the base 12 is connected to each upstanding side wall 14 as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1. Also, as illustrated, the upstanding side walls converge with the top of walls 16 leaning toward each other and forming an acute angle.

The damping mechanism 10 is shown as a stand alone device in FIG. 1. That is certainly one exemplary embodiment of the device. However, the damping mechanism 10 may also be formed with a waste containment system during manufacture. For example, in the field of portable toilets, the toilet bowl and the damping mechanism may be formed together. For the purposes of describing the invention, herein, it will be understood that either embodiment is within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the damping mechanism 10 being located centrally within the waste containment system 20. The waste containment system 20 includes a housing 22, a base 24 and a toilet seat 26. The housing has an opening 25. The seat 26 is positioned over the opening provides a central opening for the housing 22. The damping mechanism 10 is positioned to receive and re-direct the flow of waste material away from the user sitting on or standing over the toilet seat opening 25.

As noted above the damping mechanism can alternatively be formed as part of the toilet itself or as a separate standing structure. Both embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the invention. In each embodiment, FIG. 2 would look virtually identical.

The arrows of FIG. 2 illustrate, generally, the direction of both solid and liquid waste. Waste, typically human waste, flows toward the top most portion of the damping mechanism 10. As the waste, either liquid or solid reaches the upstanding side walls 14, the waste is deflected and redirected away form the opening 25 of the housing 22 and toilet seat 26. The waste then slides gently down along the side walls 14. This minimizes the splash effect found in common toilet. It therefore, also minimizes the likelihood that waste will splash upward toward the toilet seat 26 and consequently, the user.

The top most portion, noted above, extends, as seen clearly in FIGS. 1 & 2, longitudinally along the base 24 of the waste containment system 20. The top most portion thereby defines a longitudinal top line 30. FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrate the embodiment of the damping mechanism 10 top line where a peak 40 is defined. As noted peak 40 deflects and redirects waste material away from the opening 25 and toilet seat 26.

With particular respect to FIGS. 3 & 4, there is shown two other embodiments of the damping mechanism 10 within the spirit and scope of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment where, in profile, the cross-section of the top line defines a rounded shape 45. In all other aspects, except for the top line 45, the embodiments of FIGS. 1 & 2 are the same as FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates the next exemplary embodiment wherein the top line 50 defines, a profile in cross-section of a frusto-conical shape. Again, in all other aspects, the embodiment of FIG. 4 is the same as the embodiment in FIGS. 1 & 2.

It will be appreciated that a variety of manufacturing methods are possible to create the structure of the damping mechanism 10 and the waste containment system, with or without the damping mechanism 10. With the exception of making the damping mechanism 10, these methods are well known in the art and need not be described herein. Thus, such manufacturing methods are contemplated herein and are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Likewise, in the case of the stand alone damping mechanism embodiment, there are a variety of well known methods of attachment. These methods are similarly incorporated by reference into this application and need not be described here. These methods are similarly within the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of the golfing game in accordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. It will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and the virtually infinite number of embodiments that are not mentioned are also within the scope and spirit of this invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below. 

1. A waste containment system, comprising: a toilet having a housing having centrally located opening and a base and defining a toilet bowl; a damping mechanism including a base and converging side walls, the side walls converging generally at an acute angle; and the damping mechanism located on the base of the toilet bowl and centrally located proximate the opening of the housing.
 2. The waste containment system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the damping mechanism base includes means for attachment to the base of the toilet bowl.
 3. The waste containment system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the converging side walls form an apex and wherein the apex defines a longitudinal top line and wherein the top line defines a peak in profile.
 4. The waste containment system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top line defines a rounded profile in cross-section.
 5. The waste containment system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top line defines a rounded profile in cross-section.
 6. The waste containment system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top line defines a frusto-conical profile in cross-section.
 7. A waste containment system, comprising: a toilet having a housing having centrally located opening and a base and defining a toilet bowl; a damping mechanism including a base and converging side walls, the side walls converging generally at an acute angle; the damping mechanism located on the base of the toilet bowl and centrally located proximate the opening of the housing, and the damping mechanism and toilet formed together during manufacture.
 8. A damping mechanism for a waste containment system, comprising: a damping mechanism including a base and converging side walls, the side walls converging generally at an acute angle; the damping mechanism located on the base of the toilet bowl and centrally located proximate the opening of the housing, and the damping mechanism adapted to be part of a waste containment system.
 9. The damping mechanism for a waste containment system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the damping mechanism and the waste containment system are formed together during manufacture.
 10. The damping mechanism for a waste containment system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the damping mechanism is adapted for attachment to a central location of the waste containment system. 